The UK is currently experiencing a significant ‘lido revolution’. After decades of neglect in the late 20th century, passionate local communities and councils across the country are actively reviving open-air pools of various shapes and sizes to cater to the growing interest in outdoor swimming.
.jpg)
According to Swim Finder, the UK now boasts over 160 lidos, making them an ideal destination for families seeking enjoyable outdoor experiences in the sun. Public interest in these pools has increased dramatically, with Google searches for lidos rising by an astonishing 933% over the past decade. This demand peaked during the recent heatwave when "outdoor swimming pool near me" became the most popular “near me” search in the UK, soaring by 1,700% as people sought ways to cool off.
To help you navigate the crowds and find the best place to enjoy a swim before the next heatwave, we have done the research for you. We analysed Google star ratings and review volumes to create a definitive, data-driven ranking of the top 10 lidos in the UK. From beautifully restored Art Deco icons to hidden community gems and luxurious urban retreats, these outdoor pools provide the best visitor experience just in time for the summer season.
Data: Iglu Cruise, June 2026
Note: Pre-booking online is mandatory for almost all of these locations during peak heatwaves, as walk-ins are rarely accepted when the sun comes out.
Contents:
- London Fields Lido, London
- Lido Ponty, Pontypridd
- New Cumnock Swimming Pool
- Shaftesbury Lido
- Thames Lido
- Cheltenham Lido
- Hathersage Swimming Pool
- Ingleton Open Air Heated Pool
- Jubilee Park Swimming Pool
- Shap Swimming Pool
1. London Fields Lido, London
Day price: £6.40
Weekend opening hours: 6.30am - 9pm
Topping the list of the best outdoor pools is the London Fields Lido. This Olympic-sized, 50-metre outdoor swimming pool is located in the heart of Hackney, East London. The pool is heated year-round to 24°C, making it a popular destination for open-air swimming in any season. In addition to designated swimming lanes, the facility features a spacious sun deck for sunbathing and a poolside café, perfect for enjoying a coffee after a swim.
2. Lido Ponty, Pontypridd
Day price: £3.50
Weekend opening hours: 7.30am - 7.30pm
Lido Ponty, also known as the National Lido of Wales, is a beautifully restored outdoor swimming complex located in Pontypridd. This family-friendly, Grade II listed venue boasts three distinct open-air pools, a main pool, an activity pool and a paddling pool, all heated to a comfortable 28°C during the swimming season. Visitors can admire the preserved Art Deco architecture from the 1920s, alongside modern amenities, including a sun terrace, a local heritage centre and a café located next to the main pool.
3. New Cumnock Swimming Pool
Day price: £6.00
Weekend opening hours: 12noon - 4pm
The Tamar Manoukian New Cumnock Swimming Pool, located in East Ayrshire, is Scotland's only heated outdoor freshwater public swimming pool. Modernised by The King's Foundation in 2017, this 25-metre facility features beach-style changing huts and a heating system. Open from spring through to autumn, visitors can also enjoy refreshments at the cosy poolside tearoom. This community hub hosts regular activities like lane swimming and aqua fitness classes, alongside its popular 'Swim Under The Stars' evening events.
4. Shaftesbury Lido
Day price: £6.50
Weekend opening hours: 7.30am - 6pm
Shaftesbury Lido is a community-run outdoor pool that measures 23 metres. It is the only lido in Dorset and is managed by the town council. The pool was originally built over 170 years ago as a water storage tank for a local pumping station, but today, it has become a popular wellness centre that uses an eco-friendly saltwater system. The lido operates a heated pool during the summer and offers cold-water dips in the winter. Visitors can enjoy lane swimming, family fun and even a pop-up wood-fired sauna.
5. Thames Lido
Day price: £30.00 for 2 hours
Weekend opening hours: 10am - 3pm (public booking slots)
Thames Lido is a chic urban retreat located in King's Meadow, Reading. It operates on the beautifully restored site of a historic Edwardian swimming bath built in 1902. The centrepiece of this Grade II-listed facility is a 25-metre outdoor infinity pool, heated to a comfortable year-round temperature and surrounded by vibrant, colourful architecture. Primarily a boutique wellness day spa, the venue features relaxing saunas, a hot tub and an award-winning Mediterranean restaurant right at the water's edge.
6. Cheltenham Lido
Day price: £8.20
Weekend opening hours: 11am - 6pm (Closed 2.30pm - 3pm for cleaning)
Historically known as Sandford Parks Lido, this outdoor swimming complex in Gloucestershire has officially rebranded as Cheltenham Lido to honour its strong ties with the local community. The four-acre site features a heated 50-metre main pool, a children's pool and a seasonal sauna.
Operating from spring until autumn, this historic venue, established in 1935, hosts a variety of popular regional events, including competitive triathlons, open-air cinema nights and its famous year-end Dee & Griffin Dog Swim race in October.
7. Hathersage Swimming Pool
Day price: £8.00
Weekend opening hours: 11.30am - 12.30pm & 2.30pm - 4pm
Hathersage Swimming Pool is celebrating its 90th anniversary as a cherished open-air facility dating back to the 1930s, and is located in the heart of Derbyshire's picturesque Hope Valley. The 30-metre pool is heated to 28°C, allowing swimmers to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding Peak District hills and Stanage Edge. Managed by the parish council, this community hub features a historic veranda solarium, a poolside café and a calendar of events, including monthly night swims accompanied by live music.
8. Ingleton Open Air Heated Pool
Day price: £7.50
Weekend opening hours: 9am - 5.15pm
The Ingleton Open Air Heated Pool is a community-run facility 20 metres in length, located on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Originally hand-built by local volunteers and village miners in 1933, it is now managed by dedicated local residents as a registered charity. The pool operates seasonally from late May to early September, maintaining a water temperature of 26.6°C. Visitors can enjoy tiered spectator seating and a snack kiosk on-site.
9. Jubilee Park Swimming Pool
Day price: £7.50/£9.00(peak)
Weekend opening hours: Saturday 6.30am - 8pm & Sunday 8am - 7pm
Jubilee Park Swimming Pool is a beloved, charity-run open-air lido located in ten acres of beautiful gardens in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire. The facility features a 33-metre main pool and a separate children's pool, both heated to a warm 29°C throughout the spring-to-autumn season. As a popular holiday destination, the surrounding park also includes an on-site caravan site, a fitness suite and a schedule of community events, including themed midnight swims.
10. Shap Swimming Pool
Day price: £7.00 per 1-hour session
Weekend opening hours: 12noon - 7pm
Shap Swimming Pool, situated nearly 1000 feet above sea level in Cumbria, holds the title of England's highest heated open-air pool. This 16.5-metre pool is kept at a comfortable 26°C and features a main swimming lane and a separate paddling pool. Operated entirely by dedicated local volunteers as a registered charity, this summer destination offers a small refreshment shop, poolside picnic tables and breathtaking views of the surrounding eastern fells.
Ready to swap the lido for the pool deck?
If exploring the best lidos in the UK has you yearning for a proper summer getaway, why not take your love for water to the open seas? You can avoid the stress of airports entirely by booking a no-fly holiday that departs right from the UK. Whether you want to cruise along the stunning coastlines of the British Isles or venture to the sunny Mediterranean, an ultimate pool day is waiting for you on board. Modern cruise ships have transformed family travel, turning their top decks into floating resorts that make even the best lidos seem small.
